News Local/State

Mosquitoes With West Nile Found in Cook County

 

Illinois public health officials say the state's confirmed the year's first batch of mosquitoes that have the West Nile virus.

Officials said Monday that the mosquitoes were found in the Cook County community of Hillside.

Last year, the virus was found in 55 of the state's counties and nearly 300 people contracted the illness. Twelve died. No human cases have been found so far this year.

LaMar Hasbrouck is the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. He says the spring flooding is causing an increase in mosquitoes - both the kind that carry the virus and those that don't.

Most people with West Nile will never show symptoms, but for others it can be fatal.